St. Johns to participate in National Night Out – August 2
St. Johns area residents are invited to take part in our 23rd annual “National Night Out” event Tuesday, August 2, 2016, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the St Johns City Park. Bring the whole family out to get to know your neighbors and join forces against crime. We will have food and drinks, ice cream, inflatables, laser tag, a DJ, a water spray area, and giveaways – all free!
The St. Johns Police Department is coordinating this event. Police-community partnerships, neighborhood safety, awareness and cooperation are important themes of the 2016 National Night Out program.
This event has changed locations and will now be held at the St. Johns City Park near the corner of Park and Morton Streets. Youth T-ball games from the City of St. Johns summer rec programs will be played. Free hot dogs and drinks are provided by Big Boy Restaurant, McDonald’s and Kroger. Andy T’s will be serving up fresh corn on the cob. The St. Johns Lions Club will be handing out ice cream sandwiches to keep everyone cool! The popular inflatables and Laser Tag are back, these are sponsored by Martin Brower, Journey Federal Credit Union, Olympian Tool, Mercantile Bank, RSI Home Improvement, Sunshine Center, and Keck Coleman Funeral Home. In addition there will be games for the kids.
Returning this year we will have face painting and Sound Cruise DJ. The St. Johns Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs will assist with the kid’s activities and grilling. Clinton Area Ambulance Service and the St. Johns Fire Department will be displaying their vehicles and equipment, as well as a demonstration from the St. Johns Fire Department.
New This Year – Organizers have added a cardio drumming demonstration and Louis Longoria providing country music entertainment.
National Night Out provides a unique opportunity for St. Johns to join forces with thousands of other communities across the country in promoting cooperative, police-community crime prevention efforts. It is essential that all citizens of St. Johns be aware of the importance of crime prevention programs and the impact that their participation can have on reducing crime, drugs and violence in the city of St. Johns.
Please join us on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the St. Johns City Park and help “take a bite out of crime.”
City Manager’s Newsletter
Your Road Dollars At Work: Phase II of the 2016 street projects will be completed in the next seven to ten days. Portions of Townsend Road, Clinton Avenue, Oak Street, Church Street and Sturgis are being upgraded during this phase. Once the Mint Festival has concluded, Phase III of this year’s street reconstruction will begin. Mead Street from M-21 to Sturgis Street will be repaved as will Circle Drive and a portion of Park Street (near the City Park). Please be aware of detours, road cuts and workers in the right-of-way during construction.
August 2nd Election: Two millage proposals will comprise the entire city ballot for the August election. The first proposal is a millage request to provide operating revenue for the Briggs District Library. The Briggs Library recently transitioned from a city library to a district library. The Briggs District Library Board has indicated that the passage of this millage will create a more stable revenue source for this important public facility.
Second on the ballot is a proposal that would permit a monthly telephone surcharge to support upgrades to the critical 911 system in Clinton County. Added revenue would be used to fund equipment upgrades, facilities and operations. Please exercise your privilege and duty as a citizen by voting August 2nd.
Consumers Energy Meter Upgrades: Beginning this winter Consumers Energy will be replacing its current electric meters with “Smart Energy” meters. Consumers has a well-developed information program that will explain both the benefits of the new meters and the procedure for changing out old for new. This information will be sent in the mail well before the program is implemented. Residents/property owners are not required to be at the residence when the meter change occurs, but can be if they wish by making arrangements with Consumers. The new meters will be read remotely, which eliminates meter readers walking on private property, fending off dogs and trudging through rain and snow. Consumer’s customers will be able to access up-to-the minute information concerning their energy consumption on-line once the new meters are in place.
Consumers Energy crews will be completing their natural gas distribution line improvements prior to the Mint Festival.
National Night Out August 2nd At The Park: National Night Out, sponsored by the St. Johns Police Department, has become one of the premier community events of the summer. This celebration recognizes the law enforcement community for its significant contributions to our city’s sterling public safety record, and helps make connections between residents and public safety officers and fire department personnel. But as important, there is free food and games! Added this year is Bubble Soccer, a cardio drumming demonstration and music by Louis Longoria, our own country music legend. Come join us for fun, food and entertainment at the St. Johns City Park, adjacent to the Spray Park. Time of the event is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At a time when Law Enforcement is being targeted, this is one opportunity to show our strong support for all those who put their lives on the line and keep us safe every day.
Granger Update: Granger representative Sean McHugh presented its first annual report to the City Commission at its July 25th public meeting. Granger has been collecting the city trash and recycling materials since July of 2015 after being awarded a multi-year contract based on its successful low bid. Granger reports city-wide collection of more than 2,600 yards of compacted trash during the last year and a total volume of 537 tons of recycled materials. Residents appear to have adjusted quickly to the new and larger recycling containers. In addition to the weekly pick-ups, Granger reports collecting 276 tons of materials on “Big Trash Day”, also known as our Spring Clean Up. It took 56 loads to get the job done at a cost of $45,000.00.
We are pleased with Granger’s efforts as our refuse hauler and expect continued superior service from them during the contract term.
Eagles tribute band Motown Eagles soar at SJ Concert in the Park – August 3
Music made famous by one of the top-selling rock bands of all time is guaranteed to have people singing along when the Detroit-based Motown Eagles pay tribute to the musical legacy of The Eagles at the St. Johns Concert in the Park summer music series. There is no admission to the Aug. 3 show that begins at 7 p.m. at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park.
The band will play all the Eagles mega-hits including “Tequila Sunrise,” “Take it Easy,” “Hotel California” and “Take it to the Limit.” The concert will be a delight to long-time Eagles fans and a memorial of sorts for Don Frey, the Eagles’ leader and founder who passed away earlier this year.
“The music is timeless and family-friendly, featuring harmony singing and sterling guitar work.,” says Detroit musician, Carl Cafagna, leader of the Motown Eagles.
Cafagna holds a degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston and has performed with the likes of Johnny Mathis, Regis Philbin, The Temptations, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the late Natalie Cole. He has ties to the St. Johns area via his wife, Kati, who was a school teacher here for several years in the 1990s.
In addition to Cafagna who plays drums and sings lead and backing vocals, other band members include Corey Allen, lead and rhythm guitar and backing vocals; Pat Shanley, lead guitar and lead and backing vocals; Shannon Wade, bass and backing vocals; and Jef Reynolds, rhythm guitar, keyboard and lead and backing vocals.
For detailed information on the Motown Eagles visit http://www.motowneagles.com/
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening; rain or shine. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand that offers light refreshments.
For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ and check out the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell page on Facebook.
St. Johns Concert in the Park 2016 Schedule
St. Johns City Park Performance Shell
Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m.
Aug. 3: Eagles Tribute Band, Motown Eagles
Aug. 10: The Music of Ireland, Monday’s Supper
Aug. 17: Beatles Tribute Band, Toppermost
Aug. 24: All Brass, Capital City Brass Band
Aug. 31: Elvis Impersonator, Matt King
Indie-Music Festival Coming – August 6
St. Johns will be the scene of a new and exciting event. “Mint by Midwest” (MXMW) will mark the very first Indie-Music Festival ever held in St. Johns. The Festival will take place on Saturday, August 6 from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. in the William E Tennant Performance Shell located in the beautiful St. Johns City Park.
“MXMW is a genre-spanning, independent music festival featuring exclusively, artists from the mid-Michigan area,” sayes Aidan Pope, festival coordinator. “It will feature everything from folk to hip-hop to electronica and everything in between. It promises to be a great day, loaded with awesome music and fun happenings.”
The eclectic lineup features performances by multiple artists from around the state. Lansing based acts include Rent Strike, Lucy, Donut Worry, and Elliott Eremita, all of whom incorporate folk and punk elements into their music. St. Johns artists include the angsty altcountry band The American Automobile, and the electronic dance duo Overnoble.
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Liance will be performing a set of haunting folk music. Former Motown singer Carolyn Crawford will be gracing the audience with the performance of two classic songs, backed by the guitar playing of Lansing based artist Randie Strouse. Jackson band LVRS will be closing off the night with their deeply catchy indie rock/power pop tunes.
Throughout the day there will be silly contests, food, merchandise for sale and the stage happens to be a Pokémon Go gym. Festival sponsors include Edgewraps, Pope Construction and Uncle Johns Cider Mill. MXMW is a free event open to the public.
Most Holy Trinity Parish Festival in Fowler is July 28 – 31
The theme for this year’s MHT Festival is SuperHeroes.
The schedule of events includes:
Thursday
5:30 – 8:30 pm Classic Car Show, downtown Fowler
Friday
6:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Adult Social Tent, happy hour from 6 – 7 pm, ½ off drinks);
7:00 – 11:30 Adult Social Tent (drinks, pulled pork, pizza)
7:00 – 11:00 pm Las Vegas Tent (Blackjack, Let it Ride, Money Wheel)
Saturday
8:00 am Volleyball Tournament;
4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, Mass;
7:00 – 8:30 pm Touch-A-Truck (on Kent St. in front of church);
Dusk: Family Movie Night at Fink Field — “The Incredibles” (if rain, movie will be canceled)
Sunday
8:00 am Boys & Girls 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.
Mass at 10:00 am;
Purchase home-baked delicacies at the Country Store beginning at 10:00 am;
Children can start their energetic day beginning at 11:00 am at the Inflatables; Burgers, Pizza and more at 11:00 am.
At 11:30 am, the Food Court opens (Burgers, Pizza, Pulled Pork); BBQ chicken until until sold out
The SuperHeroes Parade begins at 11:30 am. Children and adults are encouraged to dress as their favorite Super Hero character. After the parade, enjoy Children’s Games, Arts and Crafts Wheel, Bean Bag Toss, Saw Dust Pit, Bingo and more.
At 5:30 pm, entertainment begins in the Activity Center. Raffle drawings for cash prizes totaling $6,000 and quilts and afghans will begin at 6:30 pm.
A complete schedule of events can be found at the parish website: http://www.mhtparish.com/ (click on the MHT Parish Festival event image).
Everyone is welcome to join us for Festival 2016.
Summer Fun Pageant Kicks off 32nd Annual St. Johns Mint Festival – Tuesday, August 9
On Tuesday, August 9 festivities for the 32nd Annual St. Johns Mint Festival will begin with the Mint Pageant at the St. Johns High School. The pageant will start at 7:30 p.m. with general seating tickets $8.50 each. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce office and if any seats are remaining they will be for sale at the door Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contestants participating this year include:
For Little Miss Mint:
Sarah Bovee, 10; Alexandria Gunnell, 8; Rian Kirby, 9; Alivia McClung, 10; Alexia Munger, 9 and Lindsey Palmer, 9.
For Junior Miss Mint:
Gabriella Gunnell, 12; Isabella Gunnell, 14; Audrey Rademacher, 13; Abbie Sage, 12; Mallory Smith, 14 and Maddy Welch, 14.
For Mint Queen:
Brooke Bauer, 17; Delaney Fedewa, 18; Gabriella Sible, 17, Alyssa Thompson, 17 and Catherine Voisin, 18.
Look for more about the upcoming Mint Festival in the SJ Indy’s special section next week.
Mint Festival notes
Tickets are now on sale for the August 9 St. Johns Mint Festival Pageant at the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce office, located at 1013 US 27 in St. Johns (in the CCRESA Building across from McDonalds). The pageant will start at 7:30 pm and will be held in the auditorium of the St. Johns High School. Tickets are $8.50 and are for general seating. If there are still tickets available the day of the pageant they will go on sale at 6:30 in the auditorium lobby at the High School.
Volunteers are still needed for the festival weekend, especially in the areas of Kids World and Ice Cream. If you would be interested in earning a bright red volunteer T-shirt, call the Chamber office today at 989-242-7248.
Applications are still being accepted for the Quilt Show, Bocce Ball, Mint Cooking & Eating Contest, Photo Contest and the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest. All applications are available on the Chamber website at www.clintoncountychamber.org/mint.
Also on the website is a schedule of events and the list of free entertainment throughout the weekend. If you have any questions about the festival, please call 989-224-7248 or email ccchamber@4wbi.net.
Prosecutor asks that Hynes be re-sentenced
Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Charles Sherman announced today that he was filing a motion to impose a sentence of mandatory life without parole on Christopher Hynes. Hynes was convicted of first degree premeditated murder for the murder of Kassi Sanborn which occurred December 17, 1998. Although Hynes was 16 at the time of the offense he was prosecuted under Michigan law as an adult and convicted on July 23,1999 and sentenced to mandatory life without parole.
Since that conviction, the United States Supreme Court in the case of MILLER v ALABAMA held that it was unconstitutional to sentence a minor automatically to mandatory life without parole without giving the sentencing Judge discretion to weigh all appropriate factors and make a decision whether life without parole is appropriate under the facts of the case or whether a less serious sentence is warranted. The Supreme Court has held that the rule announced in MILLER is to be given retroactive effect for all Juveniles in the State of Michigan previously sentenced to mandatory life without parole.
Sherman says Prosecutors in the State of Michigan had until July 21 to decide whether to seek a resentence asking the Judge to weigh all the factors that MILLER v ALABAMA ruled should be considered and re-impose the life without parole sentence. If no request by the Prosecutor had been filed, Hynes would have been entitled to a resentencing to a term of years to be set by the Judge.
“This particular case is one of the most horrific cases Clinton County has seen. Additionally the evidence indicates that Hynes was the primary instigator and planner of the offense. He had contacted two of his friends, John Soblesky and Travis Burnham and asked them to help him kill Kassi, for the sole purpose of taking her car and trading it for crack cocaine. During the previous two months Hynes had pretended to be Kassi’s boyfriend and convinced her to give him all the money she had saved working, approximately $5000, which he used to buy crack cocaine,” Sherman explained.
Both Soblesky and Burnham were convicted of first decree murder and sentenced to Life without parole. Their sentences cannot be challenged because they were both over 18 at the time. “It seems ironic that the primary perpetrator would get a lower sentence than the two people who merely helped him execute his plan,” Sherman added.
Sherman says that Hynes had significant prior criminal behavior as a juvenile prior to this murder. “There were numerous efforts by the Probate Court to rehabilitate him that all ended in failure and ultimately the murder of Kassl Sanborn.”
Chamber Golf Outing is August 24
The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce is planning their annual Golf Outing that is open to Chamber members and the general public. The outing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 24 at the Emerald Golf Course north of St. Johns.
The cost for a 4-person team is $290 and that includes continental breakfast, your golf, 2 golf carts, lunch at the turn, opportunity to participate in contests throughout the course and a steak dinner. Golfers will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for some special prizes, get mulligans and to do some tee-shot wagering.
Continental breakfast will start at 7:30 am with the shot-gun start at 8:30 am. To register your team call or email the Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248 or ccchamber@4wbi.net or download the application at www.clintoncountychamber.org.